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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 7 April 2025
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Displaying 772 contributions

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Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 21 January 2025

Jenni Minto

As I have said in previous answers, the work that Food Standards Scotland does is a continuum. It is always horizon scanning and checking where new risks may arise. The proposed change will allow the resource that went on a 10-year process to be allocated as needed as new products come in.

Another thing that it is important to recognise is the fact that there will be transparency. Although there will not be a statutory instrument on this, there will be a register of items, so it will be fully transparent which products have been checked. That is important to recognise. I will bring in Georgina Finch.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 21 January 2025

Jenni Minto

I think that it is fair to say that, as has been noted on a number of occasions just in this past half hour, Food Standards Scotland is robust and has people’s respect. I again underline that any authorisation decisions are underpinned by robust evidence that is based on scientific and technical scrutiny through both Food Standards Scotland and the FSA. That is open and transparent, and risk assessments are published and publicly available. That is very important when we are talking about food standards and safety.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 21 January 2025

Jenni Minto

When I have been discussing the issue with Food Standards Scotland, which has been happening over the past couple of years, the spotlight has always been on the future—that is, on what could happen. In my discussions, it has always been clear that what we need to do with the resource is ensure that we can carry out horizon scanning, and that we can work with international scientists and gather data and evidence from countries around the world to make sure that we have the best and the highest food standards in Scotland.

I am pleased that Food Standards Scotland’s work is, as Ms Harper noted, well respected. It is also transparent, which is key. People are able to access Food Standards Scotland’s website to see the work that has been taking place. The proposed change does nothing to change any of that—it just enforces what we are doing.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Meeting date: 17 December 2024

Jenni Minto

The Scottish Government works closely with local authorities and with the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland on that. We invest about £3 million into that work and also £50,000 to ensure that we have that relationship.

One of the important things about the bill is the fact that it is across the four nations. The UK Government has invested £100 million over five years to support HM Revenue and Customs and border control to ensure that we can reduce the amount of illicit products coming in.

Enforcement is important and that is the work that we continue to do and have great conversations about with local authorities. We also have the register of tobacco and nicotine vapour product retailers in Scotland, which helps us. It includes every retailer that sells cigarettes and other nicotine products, so we can get that information from them as well.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Meeting date: 17 December 2024

Jenni Minto

That is a very good question. I will hand over to Ruth Foulis.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Meeting date: 17 December 2024

Jenni Minto

The focus of our work over the next 10 years—or nine years, because it is a year since it was launched—is on the tobacco and vaping framework, which looks towards a tobacco-free Scotland in 2034. The UK legislation came in as we were developing our framework, and the Scottish Government has been very pleased to support it because we believe that it moves not only Scotland, but the entire UK, into the ballpark of aiming to be tobacco and vape free in 2034.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Meeting date: 17 December 2024

Jenni Minto

That is correct. Clause 60 of the bill sets out that the meaning of “nicotine product” includes

“nicotine, or any substance containing nicotine, which is intended to be delivered into the human body”

but we still need ways of providing cessation products for people who wish to cease smoking.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Meeting date: 17 December 2024

Jenni Minto

As I understand it, not being a smoker and not being a user of herbal products, there are herbal products that are made into cigarettes, and nicotine pouches are also used.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Meeting date: 17 December 2024

Jenni Minto

Again, my understanding is that herbal products do not necessarily contain nicotine, but they contain substances that can have a carcinogenic impact, as well as tar. That is why they are included in the legislation.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Meeting date: 17 December 2024

Jenni Minto

There is currently a need for people to confirm their age when they are buying products if the retailer is at all concerned, so that is something that is accepted. The point—which I have made before—is that between 80 and 90 per cent of people who start smoking do so when they are under 20, so by the time the legislation moves through, if it is successful, it is clear that there will be fewer people starting to smoke.

I go back to the point that the legislation is here to help us stop the start, and that is a strong message that everyone should recognise.